…The teams began their trek toward one million dollars in Los Angeles, California and end in Maui, Hawaii. The concept is pretty simple: be the first one to the elimination check point and get the prize; be the last one at an elimination check point and your out…

• 1) Provide technical discussion on various elements; 2) Screen reasonable set of alternatives from the “Universe of Alternatives” for the project; and 3) Prepare for Public Informational Meeting.

SUMMARY OF MEETING:
I. Welcome and Remarks – Jiro Sumada, Hawaii Department of Transportation (HDOT) Deputy Director Mr. Sumada opened the meeting. He emphasized that the budget is not locked in stone and that the Keaau-Pahoa Road Improvement’s project will be competing with other projects. Practicalities must be accepted; furthermore, the community will be setting the priorities.

Mr. Robert Taira addressed the issue of the Puna Makai Alternate Route (PMAR). It was stated that HDOT supports the PMAR. It was noted that this project will not be a typical project, and the Environmental Impact Statement will be complex. It is possible the project will take twenty years due to objections by stakeholder. The PMAR is looked at as a long-term solution that will be addressed by the County of Hawaii while the Keaau-Pahoa Road Improvements project will be a mid-term project addressed by HDOT.

Mr. Ken Tatsuguchi followed up on the suggestion of replenishing KPAG Members. At this time, the KPAG has good forward momentum. Replacing KPAG Members will be considered after the Public Informational Meeting.

II. KPAG Meeting #4 Day One Re-cap – Cheryl Soon, SSFM International, Inc. Project Manager Ms. Soon announced the results of the Purpose and Need priority voting (Attachment 1). The KPAG has agreed that the Purpose and Need statement is in accordance with what has been discussed at previous meetings; 15 yes, 0 no, and 1 abstained. Minor revisions
were made based on comments received before the voting (Attachment 2).
A map displaying the Puna Makai Alternate Route (PMAR) was sent out in the mailer was replaced with a more accurate version developed by the County of Hawaii for the Puna Makai Alternate Route (Attachment 3). The steps for creating a transportation project were discussed (Attachment 4). It was noted that the PMAR would not likely be built in 10 years, could be built in 20 years, and probably would take 30 years.

III. Traffic Forecasts and Level of Service (LOS) – Cheryl Soon, SSFM International, Inc. Project Manager The Level of Service (LOS) diagrams were explained (No attachment – LOS diagram will be revised and redistributed based on an inconsistency in the data). Each diagram shows a
two lane highway with no improvements, except the shoulder lane conversion project.

LOS of E or F signifies that something needs to be done with the road section. Once a set of reasonable alternatives has been determined, LOS can be calculated for each of those as well.

IV. Current Accident Data – Dina Lau and Peter Chan, HDOT

Accident data was presented to the KPAG (Attachment 5). The accident data was derived by police reports of accidents occurring within 75 feet of an intersection. It was noted that accident rates rise with an increase in traffic. Other patterns can be looked at to create an accident reconstruction. Factors such as design, driver, vehicle, and weather can influence an accident. Intersections with higher numbers of accidents should be focused
on.

The KPAG asked when the Quick Fix Task Force will be implementing the proposed strategies.

It was stated that the strategies will be implemented beginning in January.
V. Design Guidelines – Robin Barnes and Austen Drake, SSFM International, Inc.
An overview of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) Green Book Standards were given (Attachment 6). The standards described apply to all states.

VI. Screening for a Reasonable Set of Alternatives from the Universe – Breakout Groups The KPAG was divided into 3 groups to discuss alternatives for the project.

Each group reported back with their findings (Attachment 7).

VII. Questions and Comment: Open to all Attendees

The following questions were received:

A. Gail Clarke of Pahoa asked, “What is the process to get signage to slow traffic during school day peaks at this intersection? What about crosswalks?

RESPONSE: HDOT requested further information be sent to the Hawaii
District Office.

B. Elizabeth Weatherford of Hawaiian Paradise Park asked, “What is cost in dollars of roundabout vs. cost of signalized intersection. (Please provide information to allow for some understanding of ANNUAL or MONTHLY COST of electricity service to signal.)

RESPONSE: This question is off topic and will not be addressed at this
time.

RESPONSE: This question is off topic and will not be addressed at this
time.

D. Frankie Stapleton of Nanawale Estates asked, “Where is the representation on this panel of the low income people of lower Puna who have NO motorized vehicles, grandparents raising a passel of youngsters and no dependable vehicles, who can’t…? Is there anyone on the KPAG who does not drive a car or bike?”

RESPONSE: The KPAG is addressing the needs of people in this group.

E. Elizabeth Weatherford of Hawaiian Paradise Park asked, “Will bus shelters be placed near safety-improved intersections such that transit riders will be able to cross road safely?”

I meant to post this when it got posted on the KPAG website. I see that the summaries of more recent meetings have still not been posted.

The December meeting was held over two days and lasted about 7 hours in total time. As soon as they have posted the most recent January meeting, I will also post the summary here as well.

PURPOSE:
• 1) Complete Purpose and Need Statement; 2) Refine and confirm the “Universe of Alternatives” for the project; and 3) Provide technical discussion on various elements.
SUMMARY OF MEETING:
I. Welcome and Remarks – Jiro Sumada, Hawaii Department of Transportation (HDOT) Deputy Director Mr. Sumada opened the meeting. He reminded the Kea‘au-Pāhoa Advisory Group (KPAG) and participating public that if there are additional ideas or comments that come up after the meeting, they can be submitted via the project website (http://www.keaaupahoa.com/).

Questions were accepted from KPAG Members.
The first question asked was, is the KPAG looking at short term or long term goals?

It was stated that the KPAG’s primary function is to look at long term goals, but some immediate action is included. Ideally, one would want each goal to build on another. The most prominent project that is going on concurrently is the morning shoulder lane conversion. There is still discussion if the project will produce a permanent lane improvement or a shoulder improvement.

The second question asked was, how flexible is the budget for the Kea‘au-Pahoa Road Improvements project?

It was stated that there is currently no cash in hand for the
construction of the project, but the first year of the project is likely to be funded.

III. Purpose and Need and Criteria for Selection – Diane Gentry, Facilitator
A packet showing the progression of the Purpose and Need Statement was distributed (Attachment 2). KPAG Members deliberated the content and wording; furthermore, a revised version of the document will be presented at part two of KPAG Meeting #4 to be held Tuesday, December 9, 2008. Then KPAG members were asked to vote next to the purpose and need category that was most important to them.
IV. “Universe of Alternatives” Work Session
KPAG Members and Friends broke into three groups. Each group was to use the various matrices (Attachment 4) to refine and confirm the Universe of Alternatives. Matrices included: 1) Elements of alternatives; 2) Alternatives developed by breakout groups; 3) Combination Alternatives 4) Universe of Elements by section of the road.

After discussion was complete, a representative from each group was selected to report back. Matrices will be revised to reflect the discussions; furthermore, a revised version of the document will be presented at part two of KPAG Meeting #4 to be held Tuesday, December 9, 2008.

V. Intersection Treatments
Mr. Robert Miyasaki with the HDOT, Highways Division, Planning Branch presented on intersection improvements that included traditional intersection treatments and roundabouts (Attachment 4). All intersection treatments, including roundabouts, will be considered for the Keaau-Pahoa Road.

VI. Questions and Comment: Open to all Attendees
The following questions were received:
A. Bobby Lee Jr. of Hilo asked, “Will driveways left-turn be slow, into and out of private driveways?”
RESPONSE: Yes.
B. Frankie Stapleton of Nanawale Estates asked, “Have any of the DOT planners
read the 5 or 6 specific points in the Puna CDP report regarding park-n-ride
facilities?”
RESPONSE: Yes.

C. Tim Rees, a Puna resident, asked, “I heard the County recently received a grant for an intermodal Transportation Planning position to specifically address and advise on pedestrian pathways, bicycle pathways, etc. on transportation projects. Will that person be interacting as an active participant in this group?”
RESPONSE: No one from that specific group has been contacted. HDOT
has a bicycle and pedestrian coordinator.

(there were also 4 pages of attatchments that we received at the meeting that were not on the website)

Did you know that Hawaii is one of only 3 states in the nation to have a State Championship for Girls Wrestling? The other states are Texas and Washington.

I remember the first time our school wrestled a school with a girl on their team. No one wanted to wrestle the girl. I’ve seen some of the girls wrestle here in Hawaii… and I’m sure they could take out a lot of the guys!